Dual remote-control apparatus



y 1947' M. N. YARDENY 2,420,026

DUAL REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed May.5, 1944 Y Fl Q2 7 v MCHEL MYARDENY H5 INVENTOR I87 n2 us 188 fl/%% wuv ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to dual control apparatus and particularly to control apparatus for controlling drive means placing a useful load in a desired position.

One object of my invention is to provide a control apparatus comprising a control device for placing the useful load in one of several predetermined positions, a second control device for placing the load in any desired position, and switch means for selectively connecting the drive means for operating the useful load with one or the other of the control devices.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism inter-connecting the two control devices whereby one device is rendered inoperative when the switch is closed for the other device.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to render the drive means automatically inoperative when the useful load is placed in the desired position,

Another object of my invention is to provide means to prevent hunting of the motor when the useful load is placed in the desired position. I have found that a very effective arrangement for this purpose comprises means for reducing the rate of movements of the drive means when the desired position is approached, particularly after each reversal of rotation. If a motor is used as drive means, the speed reduction is preferably effected by operating the motor at intervals, for example, by periodic interruptions of the current of the motor by an interrupter or governor causing a deceleration of the motor speed almost to the stopping point between the impulses of energy so that the motor can be readily stopped when the useful load approaches the desired position.

I also provide a, reversible switch which short circuits the interrupter or governor during steady rotation of the motor but renders the interrupter operative immediately after each reversal of the motor rotation, such an operation continuing for a limited period of time.

Under certain conditions of operation of the second control device, it may be desirable to operate the load motor through a resistor or other suitable impedance, short circuiting the resistance when the motor must be operated at high speed.

Another object of my invention is to provide indicating means which will indicate the true position of the load, whether it is operated by the first or second control device. Two forms of indicating means may be. used, one directly 2 connected to the load shaft and the other electrically controlled by the load shaft.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specification and drawings in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of my system in which two control devices may be employed alternatively for operating a useful load, and

Fig. 2 is a fractional detail view of control elements.

My control apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 com prises two units, one, designated generally I, is a control device of a predetermined position type for placing a useful load 5 in any one of a series of predetermined positions, and the other, designated generally II, is a second control device of a continuous or follow-up type, for placing the load 5 in any desired position.

The predetermined position control unit includes a number of control selectors or units, each selector comprising a pair of metal segments 6, l, 8, 9 mounted on insulation discs h), l l and separated by gaps l2, l3. The segments are engaged preferably slidably by contact arms ll, I8 with contact point I9, preferably in the form of balls (Fig. 2) which can short circuit or bridge the gaps between the segments. The segments 6, l are connected by leads 29, 2I and switches 22, 23, with ends of relay coils 24, 25 the other ends of the coils being connected together by a lead 26 which in turn is connected by leads 21, 28 with a terminal 30 of a source of current. Segments 8, 9 are connected with the relay coils 24, 25 by leads 32, 33 and switches 34, 35. The contact arms ll, [8 are connected by leads 36, 31, 88, point I44, switch 81 and lead 38 with the other terminal 48 of the'source of current. The relay coils control arms 4|, 42, normally engaging contact points 43, 44, connected with reversing windings 45, 46 of a motor, generally designated 14, the common point of the windings being connected to one terminal of an armature 41, the other terminal being connected by a lead 48. The motor shaft 54 is connected through a transmission 58, 59 with a drive shaft 60 rigidly connected with the contact arms I1, is and arranged to opcrate the useful load 5.

The relay contact arms 4|, 42 are connected by leads 62, 63 with contact brushes 64, 65 engaging collector rings 66, 6'! of a centrifugal governor 58 mounted on the shaft 54. The ring 66 is connected with inner and outer contact points 10, II respectively, the inner points being normally engaged by an arcuate spring 12 supported in the middle on a post 13, connected with the collector ring 67,

The leads E2, 53 are also connected by leads IS, IT with a reversible switch comprising resilient contact arms I8, I9. The arms are short circuited by a contact finger 80 extending from a collar or bushing BI frictionally mounted on a shaft I5. The shaft I is provided with a pinion or wheel 59 frictionally or otherwise engaging a wheel 93 on the shaft 35. The wheel 93 may be provided with extensions for indicating its position with reference to a stationary mark 95.

It will be apparent that the finger 80 closes the contact between one pair of arms I8, I9 for either direction of rotation of the shaft 83, being held by stops 82 or 83, both arms being separated for a short time only during the reversal of the motor rotation.

The reversible switch contact points I8, 19 are connected with the brushes E4, 65 of the governor by leads l6, "2?, 84, and a switch I5. The switch I5 is preferably mechanically connected with the switc 22, 23, 34, 35, the connections being diagrammatically shown with dotted lines in Fig. 1 and so arranged that the switch I5 may be automatically closed when one pair of the switches 22, 23 or 3 t, 35 is closed. The switch I5 may be also mechanically connected with a switch 8'! which connects the lead 88 with the lead 38 when the control unit I is being operated. Lead 38 is connected with contact points 09, 90 engaged by the relay arms 4|, 4?. when the latter are attracted by the respective relay coils. For placing the device 11 in operation, therefore, it is only necessary to move the switch 81 to the right, the other switches being then automatically placed in the correct position, i. e., the switches 22, 23 and 34, 35 opened, and the switch disconnects the reversing switch.

The pairs of switches 22, 33 and 34, 35 areoperated by handles 35, B6. The switch 81 is so coupled that it opens the follow-up circuits when any of the pairs of switches 22, 23 or 34, 35 is closed. All the switches 22, 23, 34, 35 and I5 are opened when the switch 8! closes-the continuous or follow-up circuit.

The-operation of the part I of the control ap paratus is as follows:

In order to place the load 5 in a desired-predetermined position, the crresponding pair of switches 22, 23 or 34, 35 is closed by operating handle 85 or witch I5 will be closed and switch 8? turned to the left, disconnecting the second control device. Assuming that the switches .22, 23 are closed and arm II engages segment 7, electric current will flow from the terminal 40 by leads 33, switch 87, contact point I44, leads 88, 37, 3%, arm II, segment I, lead 2|, switch 23, coil 25, leads 26, 2'1, 28 to the other terminal 33 of the source of current. The energized relay coil 25 will attract the relay arm 42 into engagement with the contact point 90. As a result, current will flow from the terminal 40 through the lead 38, closed switch 81, contact point I44, lead 88, point 30, relay contact arm 42, leads 63, switch I5, lead '11, closed contact arms 75,19 (which short circuit the interrupter or governor I58) leads IS, arm 4|, point 43, winding 45, armature 47, leads 48, 28 to the other terminal 35 of the source of current. The motor will rotate, direction of its rotation being so arranged that the contact arm II will be moved toward the corresponding gap I2. As soon as the contact arm I! reaches the gap I2, its point or ball i8 will engage or bridge both segments 0 and I, causing both relay coils to be energized. AS a result, both arms 4|, 42 will be raised, disconnecting or deenergizing the motor, thus causing the motor to stop. In practice, however, due to considerable inertia of the moving parts, the contact arm I! will overrun the gap before the motor can be stopped, causing the motor to be reversed by engaging the opposite segment 6. During such reversal of the rotation, the finger will leave the post 82, disconnecting the previously engaged contact arms I8, 79 until it is stopped by the other post 83. Due to the current interruption at the points ":9 during the reversal, interrupter or governor 68 will be operative. The spring I2 will open the motor circuit at the points ID at a relatively low speed in response to the centrifugal force so that the motor will be operated and rotate at a greatly reduced speed, making it possible to prevent overrunning of the gap by the contact arm I'I when the gap is again reached. The spring I2 may be so adjusted that the motor speed will fluctuate between the interruptions of the current from a low minimum to a relatively high maximum, the average being a small fraction of the normal speed. The motor may be even stopped between the impulses by the combined action of the brake and the interrupter.

The outer control points II will carry a heavy current during the current reversal period and before the reversal of rotation, thereby safeguarding the points I3, 18 against heavy current, these points being of a lighter construction. Conventional spark suppressing means may be also provided across the contact points '43, 89 and 44, 90 in the form of condensers and resistors (not shown) which will be effective for the current interruption at the governor, the relay contact points, and at the reversing switch.

An indicating disc 93 calibrated in suitable units such as degrees of a circle may be mounted on the shaft 60, the position of the disc or of the shaft 60 being indicated against a stationary mark or point 95.

The load may be manually operated by turning a shaft 95 with a wheel 91 engaging frictionally or otherwise the-disc 93. Switches 22, 23 and 34, 35 must be opened for the manual operation.

The described arrangement, generally designated -I is used for placing the load 5 in one of several predetermined or preselected positions as controlled by switches 22, 23, etc, placed at a control point. Under certain conditions, however, it may be desired to place the load in any desired position which is accomplished bymeans of the second control unit generally designated II. This second unit comprises a pair of metal segments I'I0, III separated by a gap H2 and mounted on an insulation disc II3, rotatively supported on an axis concentric with a shaft I I4. The latter carries a contact arm II5 engaging the segments. The disc H3 is engaged by a pinion I I8 on a shaft I I9 operatively connected with an armature I20 of a control motor having a permanent field magnet I2I and generally designated H5. The segments IIO, III are connected with collector rings I22, I23 engaged by the contact'brushes I24, I25 connected by leads I23, I21 with the ends of relay coils I29, I30. The other ends of the coils are connected by a common lead I3I with the lead 28. The coils I29, I30 are also connected by leads I32, I33 with the corresponding relay coils 24, 25 which control the load motor I4.

The armature I20 of the control motor I10 is connected by leads I35, I36 with contact arms I39, I 40, normally engaging contact points I31, I38 connected by a lead I58 with the lead 28, the arms'belng operated by the relay coils I29, I30. The other contact points I4I, I42 are connected by leads I43 and I60 with the contact arm H5 and with a contact point IE2 of the switch 81.

It should be noted that while the speed of the motor I4 may be satisfactory for the operation of the control system I, it may be too high for the operation of the system II for the accurate placement of the load in any desired position. Means are provided therefore for materially reducing the motor speed when the system II is in operation and for facilitating stopping of the motor at any moment. Under certain operating conditions this may be accomplished by causing the interrupter or governor 68 to operate continuously when the system II is used, for which purpose the switch 15 may be mechanically connected with the switch 81 so that it opens the circuit of the reversible switch contacts 18, 19, between the leads 84 and 11. The motor then will rotate at short intervals, at a fluctuating speed, the speed dropping to a relatively low value between current impulses. The motor under such conditions will stop instantly when the gap is bridged by the contact arm, without any tendency to oscillate or hunt. An additional switch 99, short circuiting the leads I50, I41 may be then kept closed. By opening the switch 95, a resistor or similar impedance I5I will be included in the motor circuit, still further decreasing the motor speed.

If a greater torque is desired for operating the load by the motor I4, the switch 15 may be disconnected from the switch 81 and left closed when the system II is operating, leaving also open switch 99. The motor I4 will then operate through the resistor IBI until its reversal after the contact arm II5 passes the gap by inertia and when the interrupter 68 will be rendered inoperative.

A supplementary governor or interrupter I53 is mounted on the shaft II9 of the motor II6, connected by a switch I00 with the leads I41, I50. The interrupter is provided with contact points I58 connected with a collector ring I55, an arcuate spring I59 being connected with a collector ring I56. The rings are engaged by brushes I19, I II connected with the leads I41, I50 through the switch I08,

An additional switch I92 with contact point I93 is provided between the leads I50, 88 for disconnecting the resistor I8! when the unit I is operated. This switch is also mechanically connected with switches 81 and I44.

In View of the fact that the position of the load motor I4 may not correspond to the position of the control motor H6 or of the disc II3, it is necessary to have an indicator I12 at the point of control operated by a potentiometer or similar device I13 at the load. The potentiometer is connected with the source of current by leads I15, I16, the source of current being also connected by a lead I18 with the meter or indicator I12. The motor shaft 80 is connected with a contact arm I 80 of the potentiometer, the arm being connected by a lead I8I with the meter I12. A zero adjusting resistor I82 may be provided in the lead I18. The indicator may be calibrated in any suitable units for indicating the exact position of the load 5.

The operation of the control system II is as follows:

. Switches 81 and 15 are turned to the right for engaging the points I62, I48 respectively, disconnecting at the same time all the switches of the system I, i. e., 22, 23 and 34, 35.

Switch 99 may be closed, short circuiting the resistor IGI, if high speed is desired, or it may be opened for operating the motor I4 through the resistance. Switch I may be left opened if it is not desired to use the interrupter I53.

The arm H5 is then manually moved to the right or to the left, depending on the direction in which it is desired to move the load 5. Assuming that the contact arm I I5 is moved to the right and now engages the segment III, current will flow from the terminal 40 through the lead 38, switch 81, point I82, lead I50, contact arm H5, segment III, brush I25, lead I21, relay coil I38 and leads I3I, 28 to the terminal 30. The relay arm I' IO will be attracted, engaging the point I42.

The current will also flow from the switch 81 through the point I52, leads I80, I43, contact point I42 raised arm I40 (the relay coil I30 being now energized), lead I39, control motor armature I28, lead I35 arm I39, point I31 and leads I58 and 28 to the terminal 30 of the source of current. The coil 25 Will be energized simul taneously with the coil I30 through the leads I33, 21, 28 attracting the arm 42 and causing the armature 41 of the load. motor I4 to rotate. The load motor I4 will be energized as described above with the exception that the current will now flow through the interrupter 88. The load motor therefore will receive the current impulses through the interrupter and will rotate at a relatively slow rate. The armature I20 of the motor I I5 will rotate in a direction for causing the disc H3 with the segments to follow the displaced contact arm II5, When the gap II2 catches up with the contact arm II5 and the gap is bridged both pairs of the relay coils I29, I38 and 24, 25 will be energized. Both contact arms I39, I40 will be attracted, short circuiting the armature I20 by the lead I43 and thereby positively stopping the armature by dynamic braking due to the action of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet IZI. The armature 41 will be stopped simultaneously with the armature I20 of the control motor when the gap I I 2 is bridged. Position of the load motor and of the load can be then observed on the dial of the indicator I72.

To prevent the contact arm H5 from being moved manually too far over the segments IIII, III to be placed on the opposite segment. causing reversal of the motor, the segments are provided with raised portions or stops I85, I (Fig. 2).

The segments IIO, III as well as the segments 5, 1 and 8, 9 of the unit I are provided with raised ends I81, I88 at the gap as shown in Fig. 2 for yieldingly retaining the ball I9 of a contact arm in the gap when the gap is bridged and the motor shall be stopped. Such an arrangement materially helps to suppress the tendency of the motor to oscillate or hunt when a gap is reached. by a contact arm.

The raised portions I81, I88 also serve to retain the contact ball I9 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the arm H5 being then dragged along by the rotating disc I I3 until the shaft I I4 is manually stopped at the approach of the indicator pointer to a desired position.

By opening both switches 99 and I00, the interrupter I53 will be rendered operative. Switch 15 must be also opened for this operation, being moved together with the switch 81. The

contact spring 159 is normally disengaged from the contact points I58 connecting the motor H through the resistor lB-l. After the motor H5, however, reaches its normal speed, the spring 159 will be deflected by the centrifugal force, engaging the contact point I58 and short circuiting the resistance. The motor 14 will thenoperate at a normal speed until the gap I I2 is bridged by the ball 19 (Fig. 2) of the contact arm H5, causing both motors to stop. If the arm H is again moved, the motors will start, resistance IBI being included in the motor circuit. The interrupter I53 will therefore function as a brake, introducing resistance at the time when the motor must be stopped.

The following main combinations are therefore possible with my system for operating the motor M through the unit II:

(1) The motor I4 is operated continuously through the governor 68, the reversible switch 18, 19 being disconnected-by the switch 14, switch 59 closed.

(2) The same operation, switch 99 opened, switch I30 alsoopened. The motor [I is operated at a still further reduced speed through the resistor 16!.

(3) The same operation, switch 99 opened, switch 100 closed. The motor IE will receive intermittent current impulses after each start or reversal, making it easy to stop the motor at the exact moment when the desired position is reached by the load.

It will be understood that various features and principles of each of the embodiments of the invention above described or referred to may be utilized or substituted in other embodiments.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain particular preferred examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, various changes and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a system for positioning froma control point a load at a remote point to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions or to any desired position, in combination, a reversible motor for moving the load, a plurality of selectors at the remote point each comprising a pair of members, one of the members having a pair of electrical conducting segments separated by a gap and the other member having a contact element engageable therewith. one of the members of the said plurality of selectors being pre-set tocause displacement between the said gaps and said contact elements of therespective selectors according to the said plurality of predetermined positions. switch means at the control point selectively operated to place the load motor under control of a desired one of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point to cause directional rotation of the motor to move the load to a predetermined position corresponding to the operated one of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point, and the other member being operativeiy connected to the said load motor for rotation in a direction to restore alignment between the gap ano contact element of the operated selector to stop otor rotation, the said other member overrun; the gap to cause reversal in motor rotation, speed reducing means, means responsive to said reversal to render the said speed reducing means operative for a limitedtime, a pair of relatively movable members at the control point for moving the load to any desired position, one of the last named members having a pair of electrical conducting segments separated by a gap, the said conducting segments being electrically connected to the load motor at the remote point, and the other member having a contact engageable with the said conducting segments, one of the members being selectively adjusted to engage the said contact element with one or the other of the conducting segments for directional rotation of the load motor, a pilot motor at the control point operatively connected to theotherof the said pair of membersto restore alignment between said contact element and gap to stop rotation of the said load and pilot motor with the load at the desired position, switch means at the control point selectively operated to place the load motor under control of the said pair of relatively movable members at the control point or under control of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point saidsecond switch means rendering the said speed reducing means continuously effective when the load motor is under control of the said pair of relatively movable members at the control point.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the said speed reducing means is a rotary speed governor.

3. In a system for positioning from a. control point a load at a remote point to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions or to any desired position, in combination, a reversible motor for moving the load, a plurality of selectors at the remote pointeachcomprising a pair of members, oneof the members having a. pair of electrical conducting segments separated by I gap and the other member having a contact element engageable therewith, one of the members of the said plurality of selectors being pro-set to .cause displacement between the said gaps and said contact elements of the respective selectors according to the said plurality of predetermined positions, switch means at the control point selectively operated to place the load motor under control of a desired one of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point to cause directional rotation of the motor'to move the load to apredetermined position corresponding to the operated one of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point, and the other member bein operatively connected to the said load motor for rotation in a. direction to restore alignment between the gap and contact element of the operated selector to stop motor rotation, the said other member overrunning the 8 p to cause reversal in motor rotation, speed reducing means, a by-pass circuit rendering the said speed reducing means normally inoperative, means responsive to said reversal to open the said bypass circuit to render the said .speed reducing means operative .for a limited period, a pair of relatively movable members at the control point for moving the load to any desired position, one of the last named members havinga pair of electrlcal conducting segments separated by a gap, the said conducting segments being electrically connected to the load motor at the remote point, and the other member having a contact engageable with the said conducting ments, one of the members bein selectively adjusted to engage the said contact element with one or the other of the conducting segments for directional rotation of the load motor, a pilot motor at the control point operatively connected to the other of the said pair of members to restore alignment between said contact element and gap to stop rotation of the said load and pilot motor With the load at the desired position, switch means at the control point selectively operated to place the load motor under control of the said pair of relatively movable members at the control point or under control of the said plurality of selectors at the remote point said second switch means opening the said by-pass circuit to render the said speed reducing means continuously efiective when the load motor is under control of the said pair of relatively movabl members at the control point.

4. In a system for positioning from a control point a load at a remote point to a predetermined position or to any desired position, in combination, a reversible motor for moving the load, a selector at the remote point having a neutral position and comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one of the members being pre-set to control directional rotation of the said load motor to move the load to the said predetermined position, and the other member being driven by the load motor in a direction to restore the said selector to its said neutral position to stop motor rotation, the said other member overrunning the neutral position to cause reversal in motor rotation, speed reducing means, means responsive to said reversal to render the said speed reducing means operative, a control device at the control point having a neutral position and comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one of the members being selectively adjusted to control directional rotation of the said load motor to move the load to a desired position, means at the control point for moving the other member in a direction to restore the said control device to its said neutral position to stop motor rotation, and switch means at the control point selectively operated to place the load motor under control of the said device at the control point or under control of the said selector at the remote point, said switch means rendering the said speed reducing means continuously operative when the load motor is under control of the said device at the control point.

' MICHEL N. YARDENY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 835,382 Willard Nov. 6, 1906 1,488,723 Welsh Apr. 1, 1924 1,850,780 Sperry et al. Mar. 22, 1932 2,223,619 Umansky Dec. 10, 1940 2,342,717 Yardeny Feb. 29, 1944 1,979,588 Vreeland Nov. 6, 1934 2,124,684 Behr et al. July 26, 1938 2,135,991 Nessell Nov. 8, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 186,420 British Sept. 27, 1922 

